5 Whiskey's To Get You Through Fall

It's that time of year where you see leaves starting to fall off their branches, and all you want to do is take a stapler and reattach them in a frantic attempt to hold onto the summer that was. *insert my grade 12 graduation song here. Alas, despite our best stapling efforts, we must accept that fall is upon us. Gone are the days of sour, sweet, and savory cocktails and in comes my personal favorite elixir, whiskey.

Over the years I've gotten into bourbons and whiskeys and have realized that there are a lot of different types out there. Sadly I live in Ontario (Onterrible if you'd like) and we do not get a great selection here unless you really take your time to hunt these down. The list below are ones that you can find in the LCBO, so please bare that in mind. If you are in another province or have any suggestions feel free to comment! I am always happy to add a new bottle or two to my bar!

1. Angel's Envy - $79.95 https://www.lcbo.com/en/angel-s-envy-whiskey-21465

I will own my bias up front. Angel's Envy is my favorite bourbon. It is an amazing sipper that also plays extremely well in cocktails. It has a low proof of just over 86 (43.3% ABV) which makes it very friendly to someone that is new to bourbons. With scents of vanilla and berry jam on the nose all the way up to tastes of vanilla and leather with just a dash of the port finish. If you are looking to get into bourbon or barrel finished bourbons then this may just be the bottle for you.

2. Paradigm Spirits Co Canadian Whiskey Chapter 1- $88.05 https://paradigmspirits.com/collections/paradigm-spirits-1/products/untitled-aug26_17-53

Hailing from the town I call home comes this exceptional whisky. If you can get your hands on a bottle of this your going to be greeted with scents of melon and honey as well as smells reminding you of the wheat harvest, minus the hay fever. On the palate itself is a note of buttered popcorn (pair this whiskey with the popcorn, trust me) with a finish that reminds you just how special this bottle is and why Paradigm won 2024 Canadian Whisky of the Year.

3. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon- $45.95 https://www.lcbo.com/en/buffalo-trace-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey-605063

Okay lets pump the brakes on the price for a second shall we? This is the bourbon that got me into bourbon. On the nose it is extremely light but still nice with scents of caramel, vanilla along with a bit of orange zest for good measure. Bring it on up to your lips and you'll be greeted with brown sugar and honey that's balanced out with leather and oak. This is a bourbon that is easy to approach and wont break the bank at the same time.

4. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked- $76.95 https://www.lcbo.com/en/woodford-reserve-double-oaked-410852

For the person that doesn't have a budget and wants an easy to approach bourbon, here you are! At $77 it is for sure on the higher end for entry level, but you get a lot of bang for the buck. Because of the oak you will for sure get a lot of sweetness on the nose, but in a more diverse way compared to other bourbons. If you've had the regular Woodford Reserve bourbon, the double oak is that but on stairoids and is surpisingly richer and heavier in comparison.

5. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon- $47.95 https://www.lcbo.com/en/elijah-craig-small-batch-bourbon-whiskey-547729

It's crazy to me that in the USA this bottle is around the $20 CAD mark. You'd be a silly human being to not pick this bottle up. Pour this into your glass and let it chill out while you read your kids a bed time story. By the time you get to your drink you'll be met with a simple yet intense scent of nuts, oak, and caramel. Take a swig (because your kid just wouldn't settle down) and you'll find that it has a roundness to the mouthfeel that just makes it an easy sipper. You're not going to find anything to complex, just an easy sipping whiskey that for the price is totally worth it.

Thank you as always for take time out of your day to read this, it really does mean the world to me!

*This is not a sponsored article. I do not get any funds if you click on the link to purchase.

**Please enjoy responsibly and whatever you do DO NOT drink and drive after consuming alcohol

***If you or someone you know is addicted to alcohol please visit https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/addiction to seek guidance on how to get help.